Santa Clara, Calif. — We still are months away from kickoff for Super Bowl 50 here, but the vacancy signs already are popping up like mushrooms all over the Bay Area. They are not, however, popping up at hotels, many of which already are sold out.

Joining what has become an annual tradition that gathers more steam each winter, scores of residents of the Bay Area hosting the big game are jumping into the hospitality business, using sites such as Airbnb and VRBO.com to rent out their homes, apartments, cottages and spare bedrooms to the football faithful coming to town.

Judging by the prices they are asking, many expect a real gold rush. “Superbowl 50th 2016 Event House in Santa Clara: $3,000 a nite!” “Beautiful resort-like Eichler home: entire home/apt 1 guest pay $5830.” “San Jose home for Super Bowl 50: 1500 a nite.”

Driving the home-hosting frenzy, which Airbnb says began with bookings as early as last January, is that many of the larger hotel properties in San Francisco, where many Super Bowl events will be held, and Santa Clara, home of Levi’s Stadium and the 49ers, have been booked solid.

— San Jose Mercury News